DIY-AT: Cardboard Construction

In this assignment you will learn cardboard construction techniques. First you will watch videos from the Adaptive Design association to learn these fundamentals and then apply them in building something. Submit your documentation and reflection to Brightspace.

Tutorials / Resources

Deliverables (submit via NYU Classes as a word document)

Photos of Student Builds (Posted with Student Permission)

Fall 2023

The chair-bag is made from brown cardboard. This photo shows unfolded to make a small "chair" that someone could sit in and lean on. The chair-bag is made from brown cardboard. This photo shows it folded into a shopping bag that is held in a person's hand.

Chair Bag: A device made with brown cardboard with two handles on the top with flat top on the front and a shaped top on the back, which can be foldable to be a bag and can be open to be a chair. (inspiration)

 Small cardboard box with scissors and a pen.
Multifunction Stationery: You can organize and store your daily pens, pencils, or any other items on your desk. Additionally, the product features a built-in phone stand.		 cardboard box with small slit in top to place money. One side wall lifts to access money in the bank.
Eco Piggy Bank:  A sustainable savings solution that lets you easily access your savings when the bank is full. Simply slide open the top to retrieve your money. 
A cardboard laptop with realistic details such as a keyboard and screen. Made entirely of cardboard. It opens and closes thanks to a hinge mechanism. The laptop includes an interactive aspect in which you may pull a paper tab to expose a white Apple logo, which represents the power-on process.

Cardboard Laptop: A unique and decorative item designed primarily for display. It does not have the functional computer capabilities of a real laptop; rather, it is a decorative or artistic depiction of a laptop constructed entirely of cardboard material, especially since we live in a world where technology drives innovation. My interpretation aims to show an everyday item in a simple, natural state where we can appreciate the object on its own rather than its capabilities.

 Black and white cat sitting in hexagonal cardboard house painted white.Izzy’s New Home: a hexagonal prism that has an 11-inch diameter and 11-inch height. Her home is made entirely out of cardboard, masked with painters tape and then painted white. Izzy, an 8-year-old Manx cat with black and white fur is sitting inside. The rectangular side of the prism is orientated downwards, positioning the entrance at the top, allowing Izzy to jump in instead of step in. Here she is shown poking her head out of the top of the home. She loves confined spaces and carboard, so this is the perfect little home for her to jump or walk into, hide inside and lounge. (inspiration) Series of 5 photos showing the steps of using the "foldie" to perfectly fold a shirt.

Foldie: This device helps fold a t-shirt easily. This would be a great tool for children to learn how to fold t-shirts and for adults who need assistance during activities of daily living. (inspiration)

Steps to use the device.

  1. Lay Foldie flat on a table or other flat surface. (Picture #1)
  2. Place a piece of clothing you want to fold in the center of the folder. It is better to keep the front of the clothing facing down. (Picture #1)
  3. Fold the sides of the Foldie inwards over the clothing. (Picture #2,3)
  4. Press down on the folded clothing to ensure it is flattened. (Picture #4)
Side view of a "L" shaped phone stand made of cardboard.

Phone Stand: The phone will get stuck in the groove of the cardboard and stand upright against the iphone stand. This allows users to clearly see the contents of their mobile phones without using their hands

 Side view of a shelf with a drawer that appears to be about 2 feet tall. The sides are pained blue and the drawer has a blue handle on it.

Super Organizer: This is a work space organizer and can be used for storage of stationary items or other essentials that are frequently used. (inspiration)

 The starry night mobile is made of cardboard with two strips crossed over to make the top frame from which the star shapes with hang by a piece of purple yarn. the purple yarn is threaded through the cardboard stars and tied around the frame above. there are four corners of this frame with a star hanging from each, as well as one hanging from the center. The top center of the frame has a loop to tie the mobile.

Starry Night Mobile: The device hangs from an elevation in a space as decor or as a toy for babies and children. The device can move and sway with touch or wind, keeping people engaged. (Inspiration)